Children's Day: "Kogi Govt Committed to Quality Education"

The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality education for all children in the state, assuring that no child will be left behind in its quest for quality education for all.

The state Commissioner for Education, Hon Wemi Jones, gave the assurance on Monday while speaking at the Year 2024 Children’s Day Celebration, themed “Advocate for Children: Advocate for Policies and Actions that Protect and Support Children’s Well-Being,” held at the Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja. He emphasised the government’s dedication to creating a conducive learning environment and ensuring access to education for every child.

Jones emphasised that public schools in the state has remained tuition free and as such, any principal or head teacher who smuggle fees into the system does so at his or her perils.

He stressed that the government had prioritised education and was giving all the needed attention to the functional growth of the education subsector..

Jones maintained that since the assumption of office of the immediate past and present administrations, education has been in the front burner of its thematic areas of concentration.

He disclosed that the administration had successfully enacted education law which exempted students and pupils from payment of both internal and external examinations.

This, he said included WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, JAMB, BECE and other sundry charges, while advising parents and students to report any infraction from their schools. He said, for proper planning , the free fees are targeted at public schools for now, however, private schools consideration would be effected in the future.

He said the approval of over 30 per cent budgetary allocation to education, which is far above the UNESCO benchmark of 26 per cent underscores the philosophy of state government to guarantee qualitative education.

The commissioner used the occasion to mourned the death of two students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, who were among the 25 students abducted in the school by bandits.

In her speech, the First Lady of Kogi State, Hajiya Sefinat Usman Ododo, stressed that the occasion of Children’s Day celebration for parents and guardians to reflect on their duty of nurturing and protecting the children.

Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatimah Momoh, she added that children can reach their potential through the combined efforts of all stakeholders through quality education and strong values.

The Commissioner, while stressing the commitment of the administration to provide quality education to children across the state, noted that it has zero tolerance for children being out of school.

“I am proud to say that Kogi State is leading in providing quality education. We offer free education from primary to secondary school, cover exam fees, and distribute bursaries to students in tertiary institutions. Our state has zero tolerance for children being out of school, and parents must ensure their children attend.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to quality education for all children. Together, as parents, educators, and citizens, we can help every child reach their full potential,” Momoh concluded.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to observe a minute silence for two students of CUSTECH who were killed by their abductors.

The Children Day celebration featured Students match past, callisthenics display, carnival shows , Music and dance, among others.